Thursday, August 19, 2010

A Grand Welcome Back To School

It’s the 2nd week of Year 3 Sem 1 @ NUS, been really slooow thus far. It’s probably time I start making concrete post-grad plans. I have shortlisted a few paths, mainly revolving around music and nursing. Of course.

Last week seems so surreal and distant. Memories have already receded deep into the recesses of my mind and will probably stay there for the next 50 years. That is, if I am still alive and without Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Well, it went like this. On the FIRST day of school, I was the 2nd last to reach my music lecture @ YongSiewToh. Apparently, the seminar room was too small to contain 80 people, and you know how people like to sit around the entrance and not shifting deeper in.

I had to squeeze my way through a row of students at the back to reach some vacant seats, apologizing to them while doing so. In my frantic mental state, I overlooked a HUGE black bag in my way and actually TRIPPED over it and FELL. Thus disrupting the lesson for about 15-20 seconds with my extravagantly flamboyant entrance.

Trust me to do things like that. HAHA.

_________

The NEXT day.

I was supposed to have a performance in school with the NUS harmonica orchestra. It was only the day before that I knew I’d be the only cellist playing and we had a cello solo part.

I was unable to attend soundcheck that day due to lectures and thus unfamiliar with the stage and the student conductor who took over.

What happened on stage that fateful evening was everything I hoped not to happen. It was extremely traumatising. I cried intermittently throughout the entire night until I fell asleep.

Thank God for giving me the courage and strength to return for rehearsal 2 days later and face the music and the orchestra once again. It certainly wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but I knew I had to.

I guess it’s about falling (not literally =P) and rising up to walk again and again, without losing an ounce of determination. Slowly but surely (I hope).

_________

Piano exam’s next Tuesday. It’s too soon, though I can’t wait for it to be over and to finally learn other repertoires. =)

If all goes well, I’d graduate from NUS next year with a degree and piano grade 8. I’m still deciding if I should do grade 7 theory next March??

I like to plan for my life and not to live life aimlessly. And I know that God is always there guiding my every step, watching closely over me. He knows my deepest desires and I know He wants to bring them to past. =))) I will keep trusting in Him in good days and even more so in bad days. =)))

  

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Love of My Life

Week has been demanding right after my Taiwan trip – consisting of 6 rehearsals + 1 performance in 5 days. It’s probably also my most fulfilling one being able to perform on the piano (keyboard to be exact) for the first time in my life and to work with different groups of musicians and instruments.

My greatest fear in performing on the piano was, and always has been, to be so nervous that my fingers become clammy and shaky that I can’t even play a single note.

Fortunately, it went generally well yesterday, except for a stupid split note at Bar 1, some missing and wrong notes which otherwise were not obvious, but still.

I could feel my hands trembling as I played. However, once you’re being put in the spot, you absolutely can’t entertain those negative thoughts that are trying to get in your way.

I’m glad the musical was well-received by the audience, all well in the end. =) It was a step closer to my childhood dream of playing the piano in a ballroom with dancing people, oblivious of my presence.

___________

Upcoming schedule

Monday – @ CFA for last rehearsal with NUS harmonica orchestra (NUSHO) before proceeding to Suntec City Convention Hall for Asia Pacific Harmo Festival… It’s a competition actually.

Tuesday – Last 4 piano lesson before my exam and my teacher wants to go through every section this day. Exam date is pushed forward to August despite me booking in September. I’m really unprepared now if you ask me…

Wednesday – Tuition in the afternoon. Rehearsal at night with home orchestra.

Friday – Tuition in the afternoon. Rehearsal at night with NUSHO for YOG opening.

Saturday – Hopefully free.

Sunday – Church in the morning. Hopefully free later.

Monday – National Day, END OF HOLIDAY =(!

Tuesday – Start of Year 3 in NUS Nursing.

___________

I’m happy my holiday is filled with many music activities, it’s the only time I can actually put my mind and heart into practising. Come September, all will end except for my weekly Wednesday rehearsal with home orchestra and piano lesson.

I might have bad withdrawal symptoms. =/

___________

P.S: Apparently my blogskin disappeared outta the blue. Will leave it as it is, until I am bored.